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Sunflower

These pains you feel are messengers. Listen to them.  ~ Rumi

Spa treatment room
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M.A.,RMT, RP (Q)

Hi, I'm
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Registered Massage Therapist
& Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

Pronouns: She/Her/Elle

Massage Therapy: all ages

Individual Psychotherapy: ages 16+

In-person/virtual/telephone therapy

Approaches: Integrative

  • Attachment-based 

  • Client-centered

  • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

  • Mindfulness

  • Parts Work

  • Psychodynamic Therapy

  • Strengths-based

As a massage therapist for more than 23 years, I have witnessed how thoughts, feelings, behaviours, stressful events, and trauma can impact physical health. My experience led me to pursue a Master's in Counseling, Psychotherapy, and Spirituality at Saint Paul University. Going back to school at midlife was humbling, but it is never too late to try something new. Change takes commitment and what Buddhists call a beginner's mindset

I will continue to offer registered massage therapy to my existing client base and am now licensed with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) to offer in-person, virtual and telephone psychotherapy sessions. 

I welcome new psychotherapy clients experiencing anxiety, depression, or life transitions such as career changes, divorce, parenting stress, loneliness, caregiver burden, 2SLGBTQIA+ related issuesgrief, or struggles with self-esteem. Together we can explore your core values, limiting beliefs, attachment style, and self-care routine so that you feel more empowered, joyful, and balanced in your day to day life.

Please note, current massage therapy clients must be referred to a trusted colleague if they are interested in psychotherapy, not see me for both. 

Mother and Son

Health is Freedom

I work from a client-centered, anti-oppressive, queer-positive, intersectional feminist framework and welcome clients of every race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, citizenship, marital status, ability, and/or gender identity.

I live and work on Upper Canada and Haldimand Treaties land - the traditional and unceded territory of the Anishinabe Algonquin people. The peoples of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation have lived on this territory for millennia where their culture and presence have always blessed and nurtured the land. I am committed to never losing sight of how ongoing colonialism continues to impact us all today.

Stack of Books

Susan Alexander,
Lifelong learner

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2021-2023

M.A. in Counseling, Psychotherapy and Spirituality,

Saint Paul University, Ottawa

2008-2009

Hatha Yoga Teacher Training,

Rama Lotus Yoga Studio, Ottawa

1998-1999

Diploma in Massage Therapy,

The D'Arcy Lane Institute, London

1993-1998

1996-1997

Baccalaureate in Arts, University of Guelph

Exchange Student, Université de Nice, France

Continuing Education:

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, 2023 https://pranashanti.com/

 

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), 2022

https://www.dcottawa.on.ca/applied-suicide-intervention-skills-training-asist/

Anti-racism training for Healthcare Professionals, 2020

https://lunariasolutions.com/

Infection Prevention & Control Fundamentals, 2020

https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/index.aspx

Prevention of Violence, Harassment & Sexual Harassment in the Workplace, U of O Health Services, 2019

          

Pediatric Massage for Oncology, CHEO, 2019

https://www.liddlekidz.org/

                          

CPR Level C with AED Training, Red Cross, 2018

https://www.redcross.ca/

  

Yoga Teacher Training for Limited Mobility,                           World Spine Care Project, Pranashanti, 2018

https://www.worldspinecare.org/

Caring For Self, Self-Care for Therapists with Petrea Hansen-Adamidis, Art Therapist, 2016 https://petreatherapy.ca/

Hospital-Based Massage Therapy for Seriously Ill Patients

Hertzberg Palliative Care Institute, Icahn School of Medicine

at Mount Sinai Hospital, NYC, 2016

https://www.mountsinai.org/care/palliative-care/about/institute

Training in the Accessibility for Ontarians Act (AODA) & The Ontario Human Rights Code, Ottawa, 2016

https://aoda.ca/free-online-training/

Radiant Child Yoga Teacher Training, Happy Seed, 2012

https://childrensyoga.com/

Introduction to Meditation, Capital Yoga, 2008

https://www.capitalyoga.com/

 

Reiki Level I, Reiki Associates, 2004

https://reikiassociates.com/

 

Infant Massage Instruction, Trimesters, 2004

Perinatal Massage Therapy, Trimesters, 2003

https://www.trimesters.on.ca/

 

Myofascial Release I, II & Unwinding, John Barnes 1999

https://www.myofascialrelease.com/about/

Susan's Education
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